Umbrella



July 14, 1936. J. A. H. SIERs UMBRLLA Filed NovQQ, 1954 v2 sheets-sheetv1' INVENTOR.

. Lizenz' ATTORNEY.

.fami/.ff 741k *B3/ifa z/ Patented July 14, 1936,'V

N UN1STED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7Clalms.

' 'Ihis invention relates to umbrellas and has for its general objectand purpose to provide an umbrella, parasol or the like, having acollapsible frame and staif of such construction as to eect l a markedreduction in the overall length 'of the umbrella when closed, so that itmay be conveniently carried in the pocket, handbag or suitcase.

Another object of the invention is to provide l an umbrella frame havingrelatively sliding rib sections, together with giositively acting,manually controllable means or actuating the sliding rib sections toradially extend orcontract the frame in the opening and closingmovements thereof. t

An additional object of the invention resides in the provision of acovering of elastic, waterproof material for the frame, attached at itscenter to the umbrella staff and at its outer edge to 20 the ends of thesliding rib sections, said material.

' by contraction thereof, facilitating the inward l sliding movement ofsaid rib sections.

A more particular object of the invention is to provide stretcher rods,connected with said 25 sliding rib sections and a runner on the umbrellastai, together with link members pivotally connected to the staff and tosaid stretcher rods intermediate of their ends, and positively operateIing the latter to distend or contract the umbrella I0 frame, the saidparts being so constructed and arranged as to lie in compact parallelrelation, closely adjacent to the stall', when the umbrella is closed. J

My invention has for a furtherobject to pro- 35 vide an umbrella staffof improved construction, embodying telescoping sections, and simple andeffective means for retaining said stall.' sections in extended orcollapsed relation.

I also propose to provide an umbrella or pa 40 sol of the abovecharacter; the several parts of which are strong and durable, while ofcomparatively light weight, as well asI efiicient and reliable inpractical use. i

With the above and other objects in view, the 45 invention consists inthe improved umbrella or parasol, and in the form, construction andrelative arrangement of its several parts, as will be4 hereinafter morefully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, andsubsequently incor- 50 porat'ed in thesubjoined claims.

In the drawings, wherein I have illustrated several simple and practicalembodiments of the invention, and in which similar reference charactersdesignate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

(CL 13S-23) Figure 1 is a fragmentaryvvertical section. showing theumbrella open and ready for use. T Fig. 2 is a transverse section on anenlarged scale, taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

. Fig.v 3 is a fragmentary vertical section, show- 5 ing the umbrellaclosed, with the parts of the frame and stad in collapsed position.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary horizontal section on an enlarged scale, takenon the lined-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5 5 10 of Fig. l.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the umv brella frame open.

Fig. '7 is a similar view of the closed umbrella, the covering beingomitted.

' Fig. 8 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 3, illustrai-.ing aslightly modied construction.

Fig. 9 is ra horizontal section on an enlarged scale, taken on the line9 9 of Fig. 8.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the stad of the umbrella, as hereinshown, embodies upper and'lower sections, 5 and 6 respectively, ofthin-walled metal tubing, said lower section, preferably, beingtelescoped within the upper section 5. The wall of the latter section,at its lower end, is formed with an internal shoulder 1, to be engagedby a bead 8 on the upper end of thestaff section 6 to limit the outwardextension thereof from the section 5.

Within the staff section suitably xed at one of its ends and normally isslightly bowed longitudinally. The free end of said spring, within theupper end of the section 6, is provided with latching means I0 for apurpose to be later explained. To the convex side of the spring A9intermediate of its ends, a lug I I is fixed and projects outwardlythrough a slot I2 in the wall ,of the staff section 6. This lug isreceived in a recess I3 in the lower. end l of the wall of the stail'section 5,-to releasably 40 hold the section 6 in its extended positionand prevent relative rotational movement of the stall.' sections. A studI0' is secured to the spring 9, in spaced relation to the latching meansI0, and bears against the wall of the staff section 6.

To the lower end of the staii section 6 a handle member I4 is suitablyilxed, said handle member being of tubular form at its upper end toprovide the annular wall or flange l5.

Upon the upper end of the stair section 5 a 50 sleeve I6 is threaded.The upper end of this sleeve is'closed and formed with a radiallyprojecting slotted ange l1 in which the rib sections I8 are pivoted atone oi their ends as at I8'. 55 'I'hese rib sections are of channel formin cross dit' section, and are preferably provided along the inwardlyfacing open sides of the channels with the opposing, longitudinallycontinuous anges i9.

In each rib section i3 a longitudinally slidable rib section 20 istelescopically engaged. The sections 20 are also of channel form and areretained and guided for free sliding movement within the sections i8 bythe flanges iii oi' the latter.

To each rib section 2t a stretcher rod 2i is connected at one end. Thisstretcher is likewise preferably oi channel form and a plate 22 in thechannel thereof has its ends pivotally connected, as at 2li, with theside walls of the channel. This plate is centrally formed with aninverted U- shaped portion 2t which extends into the channel oi the ribsection il@ and has openings in the sides thereof to receive inwardlyprojecting parts oi the side walls oi said rib section, as shown at 22d.However, any other desired means may be utilized for pivotallyconnecting the stretcher rods to the sliding rib sections On the stadsection t a runner 2E is slidingly engaged. The inner ends of thestretchers 2i are curved, as at iii, and pivotally connected to aslotted iiange formed on the upper end of the runner w, as shown at 2i.Upward movement of the runner is limited by a collar 2t fixed on thestaii section 5, and the wall of said section is provided with anopening 2d to receive the end of a spring pressed latch member 3@mounted on the runner, whereby the latter is releasably held againstdownward movement.

Links di are pivotally connected at one oi their ends to a slottedflange on the lower end oi' the sleeve iii, as at 32, and have theirother ends pivotally connected at 33 to the stretcher rods 2iintermediate the ends ci the latter.

The rib sections iii and 2li are covered with a sheet of rubberizedfabric or other elastic textile material, indicated at 3G. At its centerthis olastic covering material is securely fixed to 'the closed upperend of the sleeve iii by the clamping plate and screw which is threadedin the end of the sleeve. it its inner end this screw is formed with areduced neck 3l' and conical terminal dii, which provides an annularshoulder d@ to be engaged by the latching means iii oi the spring t.This latch means for the stai'l sec-` tions is not herein claimed, as itforms the subject-matter oi my co-pending application ior patent, SerialNo. 52,049, filed November29, 1935. To the outer edge of the c'over dil,at suitably spaced points, appropriate means, such as the tubularmembers dii, are attached. These members receive the outer ends oi? therespective rib sections 2t and are securely iixed thereon.

To the underside oi each rib section iii at its outer end a spring clipiii is suitably iixed, and has an outwardly projecting yieldable ngerdi?, spaced from the rib section, to be engaged by the ange iii oi thehandle iii, as clearly shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

When the umbrella is open, as shown in Fig. l, the covering material tilis radially and circumferentially expanded or stretched by the extensionoi the rib sections it. To close the umbrella the latch is released withone hand while with the other the lug ii is pushed inwardly and staffsection 6 moved upwardly ashort distance into the section 5. The runner25 is now moved downwardly so that the links 3i, aided by thecontraction of the covering material 3d, will operate the stretcher rods2l to cause the rib sections 2li to-slide inwardly on the rib sectionsi8. When fully closed the latter rib sections are received within thechannelsfof the stretchers 2i, which,

together with 4the links 3|, lie in close parallel relation to thestai-l section 5. The staff section 6 is then moved into the section iluntil its end abuts against the end wall of the sleeve I 6, at 5 whichtime the terminal means i0 oi' the spring 9 snaps over the shoulder 39of screw 36. Stud i0', bearing against the wall of stai section 6,assures adequate tension in the spring to resist unintentional outwardmovement of said staff section. The end of stad section ii is receivedin the tubular end of the handle It, and flange l 5 is engaged over thespring ngers t2, to retain the relatively ioldable parts in closelyassociated relation, as shown in Fig. 3. The elastic quality l5 oi thecover material 34 is such as to still maintain a certain tensional pullupon the rib sections 2t after the umbrella is closed, while the loosei'oldable portions of the cover between the circumierentially spacedribs is reduced to a mnimum. l

In opening the umbrella the stad section G is first extended from thesection Ei. Upon the release of the fingers t2 a slight radial outwardmovement of the ribs and stretchers will occur. 25 The runner 25 is thenmoved upwardly on the stad section t. By reason of the curved ends 2E ofthe stretchers the upward thrust will be trans mitted in a radiallyoutward direction to cause a relative pivotal movement between saidstretchers and the rib sections iii. Simultaneously the links 3i exertan outward thrust upon the stretch ers to automatically move the otherends thereof longitudinally of the rib sections it, and radially projectthe rib sections 20, until the run- 35 ner reaches the limit oi itsupward movement and latch member 3@ is engaged in the opening 29 ofstafi' section E. The links 3i are preferably so arranged that they areat all times substantially parallel to the rib sections it. Due to theangular relation of the stretchers 2i and links 3l, the telescopic ribsare strongly braced and the expanded covering material held undertension in smooth close contact upon said ribs.

In Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawings l' have illustrated a slightmodification in which the arrangement of the stretcher rods is reversedwith respect to that shown in Figs. l and 3. Thus, these stretchers iihave curved outer ends 2t' connected to the sliding rib sections 2U, andthe channels of said stretchers open inwardly instead of outwardly.Therefore, when closed, said channels receive the links 3i. Thisarrangement obviates the possibility oi the cover material ,being caughtbetween the edges of the side flanges ci the stretchers and the ribsections iii and cut or damaged. This form of the invention operates inthe same manner as that irst described.

From the foregoing it will be seen that l have devised an improvedumbrella or parasol, which, when closed, is of materially reduced`overall length so that it may conveniently be carried in a hand bag,suit case or overcoat pocket. At the same time excessive folding of thecover material is avoided and a more compact relationship oi' theseveral parts obtained than in similar detorting or bending stresses.

While the embodiments of my invention herein disclosed are veryeilicient in operation and well adapted for practical manufacture atcomparatively low cost, it will nevertheless be understood, thattheessentially novel features thereof are susceptible .of production invarious other alternative structural forms. Therefore, thev privilege isreserved of resorting to all such legitimate changes in the form,construction and relative arrangement of the several elements as may befairly comprehended within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.i

I claim:

l. In combination with an umbrella having a lstail and a runner thereon:aframe comprising telescopically connected inner and outer rib sections,said inner sections being plvotally connected to the stail', andmeans'operable in the movement of said runner to openor close the frameand positively extend or retract the outer rib sections relative to theinner sections, said means including channel-shaped stretchers pivotallyconnected to the runner and to said outer rib sections and rigid meanspivotally connected to the stretchers and to said stail', the pivotedend of each inner rib section and the pivotal connection between saidrib section and the associated stretcher, being disposed in substantialalignment with the axis of the rib section, said inner rib sectionsbeing disposed in parallel relation to the stretchers throughout thelength of the latter and within the channels of said stretchers acrossthe major portion `oi' their width when the frame is closed.

2. In combination with an umbrella having a stall and a runner thereon;a frame comprising telescopically connected inner and outer ribsections, said inner sections being pivotally connected to the stair,and means operable in the movement oi' said runner to open or close theframe and positively extend or retract the outer rib sections relativeto the inner sections, said means including channel-shaped stretcherspivotally connected to the runner and to said outer rib sections andrigid means pivotally connected to the stretchers and to said stall,said rigid means being disposed throughout the length thereof inparallel relation to the stretchers and within the channels of saidstretchers when the frame is closed.

3. In combination with an umbrella frame having telescoping ribs andmeans for positively extending and contracting said ribs; a covering onsaid ribs of Woven rubberized fabric, expanding and contracting radiallyoi' said frame in the operation of said means.

4. In combination with an umbrella having a staff, ribs each comprisingan inner section, pivotally connected to the stair, and an outer sectionslidable on said inner sectionoperating means for the latter ribsections including a runner on the staff; a covering of woven rubberizedfabric secured to the stai and to the outer ends of said slidable ribsections, said covering expanding and contracting radially of said framein the operation of said runner, and being under radial tension alongthe ribs when the frame is closed, whereby the slidable rib sections areurged inwardly on the inner rib sections in the contracted condition ofthe covering.

5. In, combination with an umbrella having a stall', ribs eachcomprising an inner section, pivotalls1 connected toythe stad, and anouter section slidable on said inner section, operating means for thelatter rib sections including a runner on the stai; a covering ofelastic textile material secured at its center to the stair, unattachedto the inner rib sections, and attached only at its outer edge to theslidable rib sections, said covering expending and contracting radiallyof said frame in the operation of said runner, and being under radialtension along the ribs when the frame is closed, whereby the slidablerib sections are urged inwardly on the inner rib sections in thecontracted condition of the covering.

6. In combination with an umbrella stail' having a runner thereon; aframe comprising inner rib sections, pivotaliy connected to the staff,and outer rib sections longitudinally extensible with respect to theinner sections, a stretcher pivotally connected to each extensible ribsection and to said runner, the pivoted end of each inner rib sectionand the pivotal connection between said rib section and the associatedstretcher, being disposed in substantial alignment with the axis of therib section, a link pivoted at one end to the staff and at its other endto the stretcher operating to extend and retract the extensible ribsection in the operation of the runner, one of said parts being ofchannel-s aped form in cross section and the other part, throughout itslength, extending in parallel relation to said channelshaped part andwithin the channel thereof for the major portion of its width when theumbrella frame is closed.

7. In combination with an umbrella having a staff, ribs each comprisingan inner section pivotally connected to the staff and an outer sectionslidable on said inner section, operating means for the latter ribsections including a runner on said staff; a cover of elastic materialsecured to the staif and to the outer ends of said slidable ribsections, expanding and contracting circumferentially and radially ofsaid frame in the operation of said runner, and being under radialtension along the ribs when the frame is closed,

whereby the slidable rib sections are urged inwardly on the inner ribsections in the contracted condition of the covering.

JOHN A. H. SIERS.

